US10829983B2

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Info

Publication number: US10829983B2
Application number: US15/443,574
Authority: US
Inventors: Charles A. Haba; Dwayne J. Kornish; Gregory R. Taylor
Original assignee: Overhead Door Corp
Current assignee: Overhead Door Corp
Priority date: 2016-02-29
Filing date: 2017-02-27
Publication date: 2020-11-10
Also published as: CA2959259A1; US20170247937A1

Abstract

An overhead door includes a plurality of articulating panels. At least one of the plurality of articulating panels includes a frame defining an opening, the frame having a ledge and a lip extending from the ledge into the opening and a transparent panel having a first side and an opposing second side. The transparent panel is positioned adjacent to both the lip and the ledge with the first side of the transparent panel positionable adjacent the lip. The plurality of articulating panels further includes a retainer member positionable adjacent the second side of the transparent panel and operable to be fastened to the frame.

Description

CLAIM OF PRIORITY

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/301,246 filed Feb. 29, 2016, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates generally to a multi-panel door, and, more particularly, to an impact resistant door, and even more particularly, to an impact resistant full view door.

BACKGROUND

Multi-panel doors of the type used for closing a large opening in a building, such as a garage door, have long been manufactured using a plurality of substantially identical panels. The plurality of panels are typically hingedly or pivotally connected together to permit relative hinging movement between adjacent panels when the door is moved between a closed, vertical position, and an open, horizontal position.

Such multi-panel doors are commonly referred to as upward opening sectional doors and often include panels formed of a shell or casing, such as a molded or stamped piece of metal, fiberglass, or plastic, and an insulating core. In some cases, the multi-panel door includes windows positioned within one or more of the panels to allow users to view through a portion of the door. Due to the lightweight shell and core used to form the panels, multi-panel doors often require cumbersome, external framing structures to hold the windows in place within an opening cut into the panel. The windows and framing structures of such doors often provide for a limited viewing area through the door, have low resistance to wind forces and flying debris that may occur in hurricane prone areas, and be cumbersome additions to the panels.

SUMMARY

In a first embodiment, an overhead door includes a plurality of articulating panels. At least one of the plurality of articulating panels includes a frame defining an opening, the frame having a ledge and a lip extending from the ledge into the opening and a transparent member having a first side and an opposing second side. The transparent member is

positioned adjacent to both the lip and the ledge with the first side of the transparent member positionable adjacent the lip. The plurality of articulating panels further includes a retainer member positionable adjacent the second side of the transparent member and operable to be fastened to the frame.

In certain aspects, the frame is formed of aluminum extrusions.

In some aspects, the second side of the transparent member includes a groove.

In other aspects, the retainer member has a rib operable to fit in a groove formed along a periphery of the transparent member.

In yet another aspect, the door further comprises a fastener operable to fasten the retainer member to the frame, wherein the fastener is inserted into the retainer member at an angle of approximately 30 degrees relative to the ledge.

In certain aspects the door further comprises a fastener operable to fasten the transparent member to the lip.

In a second embodiment, a panel of a sectional door includes a panel frame having a top frame member, a bottom frame member, a first side frame member and a second side frame member such that the frame members form an opening. The frame members include a rear surface and a front surface with a ledge at least partially extending between the rear surface and the front surface of the frame members and a lip extending from the front side of the frame members into the opening.

In certain aspects, the panel further comprises a sheet of material positioned adjacent to the lip and the ledge such that an edge of the sheet is positioned adjacent on the ledge and a periphery of an outer surface of the sheet is positioned against the lip.

In some aspects, the edge of the sheet directly contacts at least a portion of the ledge.

In other aspects, the lip and the ledge are perpendicular to each other.

In yet another aspect, the sheet has a groove formed along the periphery of an inner surface.

In certain aspects, the sheet is tempered glass.

In some aspects, the sheet is polycarbonate.

In other aspects, the panel further comprises one or more retainer members configured to be fastened to one or more of the frame members.

In yet another aspect, the panel frame members are aluminum extrusions.

In a third embodiment, an upward acting, multi-panel door includes a plurality of panel frames. Each panel frame of the plurality of panel frames includes an inward facing surface, an outward facing surface, a ledge at least partially extending between the inward facing surface and the outward facing surface, and a lip extending from the outward facing surface.

In certain aspects, the door further comprises an opening formed by the each panel frame.

In some aspects, the door further comprises an opening formed by the each panel frame and a window positioned in the opening.

In other aspects, the door further comprises an opening formed by the each panel frame, a window having a first side and a second side and positioned in the opening, and a retainer member positioned adjacent the second side of the window and fastened to the each panel frame.

In yet another aspect, the each panel frame is formed of aluminum extrusions.

For a more complete understanding of the present invention, including additional features, objects and advantages thereof, reference is now made to the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the drawings, in which:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front view of an embodiment of a multi-panel door in accordance with this disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a rear view of the multi-panel door ofFIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a detailed view of a panel according to the multi-panel door ofFIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a cross section view ofFIG. 3 taken along line A-A.

FIG. 5 is a cross section view of a retainer member ofFIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a partial cross section view of an assembled panel illustrating the coupling of a panel frame, a transparent member and a retainer member according to an embodiment of the multi-panel door.

FIG. 7 is a partial cross section view of an assembled panel illustrating the coupling of a panel frame, a transparent member and a retainer member according to an embodiment of the multi-panel door.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the description which follows, like parts are marked throughout the specification and drawings with the same reference numerals. The drawings may not be to scale and certain features may be shown exaggerated in scale or in somewhat schematic form in the interest of clarity and conciseness.

FIG. 1 illustrates an embodiment of a multi-panel, upward-acting,sectional door100 rated for hurricane areas such that thedoor100 is impact resistant, while still providing a full view through thedoor100. Themulti-panel door100 includes a plurality ofpanels102 that together form afront face104 of thedoor100 and enclose anopening106 in abuilding108 or other structure. In the embodiment illustrated inFIG. 1, for example, thedoor100 includes a number ofpanels102, namely, atop panel110, severalintermediate panels112 and abottom panel114 that enclose theopening106 defined by two

jambs

116,118, aheader120 and adriveway122. In other embodiments, thedoor100 may include any number ofpanels102 and may be located in anysuitable opening106. For example, thedoor100 may include thetop panel110, oneintermediate panel112 and thebottom panel114. Thepanels102 may be hingedly connected and mounted on conventional track and rollers (not shown) within the building to enable movement of thedoor100 between the vertical (closed) position shown inFIG. 1, and a horizontal (i.e., open or overhead) position.

Referring toFIGS. 1-3, a nonlimiting, illustrative embodiment of thedoor100, which is configured so that thedoor100 is operable for use in hurricane prone areas, is employed to advantage. Each of thepanels102 is comprised of one or more

interconnected frames

160,162,164,166,168. Thepanels102 further include one or more sheets ormembers126 positionable within the

frames

160,162,164,166,168 andretainer members152 to hold the one ormore sheets126 within the

frames

160,162,164,166,168. In some embodiments, thetop panel110 includes a plurality offrames160, theintermediate panels112 include a plurality of

frames

162,164,166, and thebottom panel114 includes a plurality offrames168. Thus, theframes160 form the framing for thetop panel110, the

frames

162,164 and166 form the framing for theintermediate panels112, and theframes168 form the framing for thebottom panel114. In some aspects, each of thepanels102 is formed of a single frame. Each of the

frames

160,162,164,166,168 includes an inward facingsurface186 and an outward facingsurface188. The inward facingsurface186 faces an interior portion of the space enclosed by thedoor100, such as the interior portion of a garage. The outward facingsurface188 faces an exterior or away from the space enclosed by thedoor100.

Each of the panel frames160,162,164,166,168 includes anupper frame member134, alower frame member136, afirst side member138 and asecond side member140. The

frame members

134,136,138,140 are coupled together to form the panel frames160,162,164,166,168 or a portion of the panel frames160,162,164,166,168. In some embodiments, theupper frame member134, thelower frame member136, thefirst side member138 and thesecond side member140 are metal extrusions that are coupled to form anopening172. Prior art panels (not shown), in contrast, are generally formed from a shell or casing, such as a molded or stamped piece of metal.

In an embodiment, the

frame members

134,136,138,140 form a rectangular shape forming arectangular opening172. In one illustrative embodiment, the

frame members

134,136,138, and140 are formed from aluminum through an extrusion process. Other known types of metal may be used. It should further be appreciated that while the

frame members

134,136,138,140 and theopening172 is shown as forming a rectangle, other suitable shapes may be utilized in other embodiments.

Referring specifically toFIG. 3 with continued reference toFIGS. 1 and 2, the panel frames160,162,164,166,168 may also include one or more

intermediate frame members

142 and146. For example, in the embodiment illustrated inFIG. 3 each of the panel frames160,162,164,166,168 includes a verticalintermediate frame member142 that extends between and couples theupper frame member134 to thelower frame member136 or otherwise replaces the upper and

lower frame members

134,136 and divides the

frames

160,162,164,166,168 into two sections. In some aspects, the verticalintermediate frame member142 divides the

frames

160,162,164,166,168 into two equal sections. Likewise, in the embodiment illustrated inFIG. 3 each

panel frame

160,162,164,166,168 includes a horizontalintermediate frame member146 that extends between and couples thefirst side members138 to thesecond side members140 or otherwise replaces the first and second

side frame members

138,140 and divides the

frames

160,162,164,166,168 into two sections. In some aspects, the verticalintermediate frame member146 divides the

frames

160,162,164,166,168 into two equal sections. The

intermediate frame members

142,146 may be metal extrusions and may also be formed from aluminum.

Each of the

frame members

134,136,138,140,142,146 includes aninner surface144 that faces an interior portion of the space enclosed by thedoor100, such as the interior portion of a garage, and anouter surface148 that faces an exterior or away from the space enclosed by thedoor100. In some embodiments, the inner and

outer surfaces

144,148 of the

frame members

134,136,138,140,142,146 are substantially co-planar when thedoor100 is in the vertical position, as illustrated inFIGS. 1 and 2.

The

frame members

134,136,138,140,142,146 are assembled to form the respective panel frames160,162,164,166, or168. As previously mentioned, the

frame members

134,136,138,140,142,146 may form a rectangular shape such that the panel frames160,162,164,166,168 create theopening172. The

frame members

160,162,164,166,168 are assembled to form a suitable shape with theopening172 formed therein. The one ormore sheets126 are configured to fit in theopening172.

Referring now toFIG. 4, the

frame members

134,136,138,140,142,146 include a ledge orwindow ledge132 that at least partially extends between theinner surface144 and theouter surface148 of the

frame members

160,162,164,166,168 or otherwise extends between the inner and

outer surfaces

186,188 of the

frames

160,162,164,166,168. Theledge132 may be operable to at least partially support the weight of the one ormore sheets126. In other embodiments, agap199 exists between theledge132 and the one ormore sheets126. It should be appreciated that since each of the

frame members

134,136,138,140,142,146 may include theledge132, one or more of therespective ledges132 may at least partially support the weight of the one ormore sheets126, thegap199 may exist between theledge132 and the one ormore sheets126, or a combination thereof may exist. In some aspects, theledge132 is substantially perpendicular to theexterior surface148 and theinterior surface144 of the

frame members

134,136,138,140,142,146 or the ledge is otherwise perpendicular to the inner and outer facing

surfaces

186,188 of the

frames

160,162,164,166,168.

In some embodiments, the

frame members

134,136,138,140,142,146 or the

frames

160,162,164,166,168 further includes ashoulder154 positioned proximate theledge132. In these embodiments, theshoulder154 also at least partially extends between the inner and

outer surfaces

144,148 of the

frame members

134,136,138,140,142,146 or otherwise stated, between the inner and

outer surfaces

186,188 of the

frame members

134,136,138,140,142,146. Theshoulder154 may be perpendicular to the inner and

outer surface

144,148 of the

frame members

134,136,138,140,142,146 and the inner and outer facing

surfaces

186,188 of the

frames

160,162,164,166,168. In a nonlimiting, illustrative embodiment, theledge132 is parallel to theshoulder154. Other suitable configurations are possible in other embodiments. For example, theshoulder154 may be angled relative to theledge132.

Theshoulder154 is operable to support or otherwise be coupled to theretainer member152. In some embodiments, theshoulder154 includes afirst protrusion158 and asecond protrusion159 extending therefrom for securing theretainer member152 to theshoulder154 and ultimately to the

frame

160,162,164,166,168. It should be appreciated that in some embodiments, not all of the

frame members

134,136,138,140,142,146 require aledge132 and/or ashoulder154.

The

frame members

134,136,138,140,142,146 or the

frames

160,162,164,166,168, as assembled, may further include alip170. Thelip170 may extend from theouter surface148 of the

frame members

134,136,138,140,142 or the outer facingsurface188 of the

frames

160,162,164,166,168. In some aspects, thelip170 extends from thewindow ledge152 or is otherwise connected to theledge152. Thelip170 extends into theopening172 such that thelip170 may form a barrier for which the at least onesheet126 is positioned adjacent to or rests against when the

frame members

134,136,138,140,142,146 are assembled to form the panel frames160,162,164,166,168. In some aspects, thelip170 and thewindow ledge152 are perpendicular to each other forming a 90 degree angle. In one aspect, the at least onesheet126 may contact both thelip170 and thewindow ledge152 when the at least onesheet126 is positioned within the respective panel frames160,162,164,166,168.

Referring now toFIGS. 1-4, the at least onesheet126 of material is positioned within, adjacent to or otherwise coupled to the

frames

160,162,164,166,168, such that thesheets126 may form a window that provides a full view or substantially full view through thedoor100. Thesheets126 of material are positioned adjacent to the panel frames160,162,164,166,168 such that anouter surface128 of thesheets126 are substantially unobstructed by the panel frames160,162,164,166,168. In some embodiments, theunobstructed sheets126 give the multi-panel door100 a substantially unobstructed view when thedoor100 is in the closed position, as will be described in more detail below.

Thesheets126 of material may be made of any suitable material and may be opaque, translucent, semi-translucent, transparent, semi-transparent or a combination of any of the foregoing. For example, in some embodiments thesheets126 are made of semi-translucent black, white, bronze or mirror silver glass. In other embodiments, thesheets126 are made of an opaque metal material. In yet other embodiments, thesheets126 are made of tempered glass that has flame-polished edges to prevent chipping or cracking. In some embodiments, thesheets126 are made of polycarbonate. Thesheets126 may be partially translucent, partially opaque or a combination of partially translucent and partially opaque. In some aspects, thesheets126 are rated for use in hurricane prone areas, such as the state of Florida in the United States of America, so that thesheets126 are capable of withstanding high wind loads and missile impact from debris. Moreover, thesheets126 may meet the rating standards set by state or governmental entities in said hurricane prone areas.

Thesheets126 may have any suitable thickness. In some embodiments, for example, thesheets126 are ⅛ inch thick. In other embodiments, thesheets126 are thicker or thinner than ⅛ inch. For example, in some embodiments thesheets126 are ¼ inch thick. The thickness of thesheets126 may be equal to, less than, or greater than the thickness of theledge132. In one illustrative embodiment, the thickness of thesheets126 is equal to the thickness of theledge132. In another embodiment, the thickness of thesheets126 is less than the thickness of theledge132.

Thesheets126 generally have a height and width that are substantially equal to the height and width of theopening172 formed in the

panel frame

160,162,164,166,168. In other embodiments,multiple sheets126 are positioned in theopening172 and fitted against or otherwise coupled to each of the panel frames160,162,164,166,168 such that thesheets126 have a combined height and width that is substantially equal to the height and width of theopening172 formed by the

panel frame

160,162,164,166,168. In one, nonlimiting embodiment, thesheets126 are individually or otherwise combined to be 23 inches high by 50 inches wide. In some embodiments, thesheets126 may have a height greater than or less than 23 inches and may have a width greater than or less than 50 inches. The height and width of thesheets126 will generally depend on the size of theopening172 formed by the panel frames160,162,164,166,168.

Thesheets126 have anouter surface128, an opposinginner surface130 and an edge129. Theouter surface128 of thesheets126 includes aperiphery131 adjacent to the edge129. Theinner surface130 of thesheets126 also includes aperiphery133 adjacent to the edge129. Theperiphery131 along theouter surface128 of thesheet126 may be positioned adjacent to thelip170, with the edge129 of thesheet126 being positioned adjacent to theledge132.

In some aspects, a groove156 is formed in theinner surface130 of thesheets126 within theperiphery133. The groove156 may be completely hidden behind thelip170 in some embodiments when thesheet126 is positioned in theopening172. In other embodiments the groove156 may only be partially hidden behind thelip170 or not hidden behind thelip170 at all. The groove156 is configured to be connected to theretainer member152 to help secure thesheets126 in place within theopening172 and may help prevent thesheets126 from slipping from or coming uncoupled from the

frames

160,162,164,166,168 under high wind loads or upon debris impact.

Theretainer member152 may be formed of an extruded metal such as aluminum and is operable to be positioned against theinner surface130 of the one ormore sheets126 and to be fastened to the panel frames160,162,164,166,168 to secure the one ormore sheets126 within theopening172. In the embodiment illustrated inFIG. 5, theretainer member152 includes afirst side174, an opposingsecond side176 and atop side178 that extends between thefirst side174 and thesecond side176 connecting the first and

second sides

174,176. Thefirst side174 of theretainer member152 is configured to be positioned against theperiphery133 of theinner surface130 of thesheets126. In some embodiments, a rib orprotrusion180 extends from thefirst side174 of theretainer member152 and is sized to fit securely within the groove156 formed in theperiphery133 of theinner surface130 of thesheets126. In yet some embodiments, theretainer member152 includes ashoulder190 formed along thesecond side176 that is configured to be positioned against thesecond protrusion159 that extends from theshoulder154 of the

frames

160,162,164,166,168, as illustrated, for example, inFIG. 4. In some aspects, thesecond side176 of theretainer member152 is positioned internal to thesecond protrusion159. Additionally, in some aspects, thefirst side174 of theretainer member152 is positioned external to thefirst protrusion158. In yet some aspects, thefirst side174 of theretainer member152 is positioned between theledge132 and thefirst protrusion158. A bottom portion of thefirst side174 of theretainer member152 and a bottom portion of thesecond side176 of theretainer member152 may contact theshoulder154 of the

frames

160,162,164,166,168.

In some embodiments thefirst side174 of theretainer member152 has a height greater than the opposingsecond side176. In yet some embodiments, the height of thefirst side174 is greater than that of thesecond side176 such that thetop side178 is angled due to thefirst side174 having a height greater than the height of thesecond side176. For example, thetop side178 may be angled at 30 degrees, less than 30 degrees or greater than 30 degrees. In some embodiments the height of thefirst side174 of theretainer member152 is approximately 0.5 inches. In other embodiments, the height of thefirst side134 may be greater than or less than 0.5 inches. In some embodiments the height of thefirst side174 of theretainer member152 is approximately 0.4 inches. In other embodiments, the height of thefirst side134 may be greater than or less than 0.4 inches.

Thetop side178 of theretainer member152 includes a plurality ofapertures182 formed therein for receivingfasteners184. Thefasteners184 may secure theretainer member152 to the panel frames160,162,164,166,168. Thefasteners184 may be fastened into the panel frames160,162,164,166,168 at an angle of approximately 30 degrees. In some embodiments, thefasteners184 may be fastened into the panel frames160,162,164,166,168 at an angle corresponding to the angle of thetop side178 of theretainer member152. Thefasteners184 may be attached to the panel frames160,162,164,166,168 via theshoulder154. In some aspects, thefasteners184 are positioned adjacent to theprotrusion158 that extends from theshoulder154. In yet some aspects, thefasteners184 are positioned adjacent to thefirst protrusion158 and between thefirst protrusion158 and thesecond side176 of theretainer member152.

In some embodiments, a majority of the inner and

outer surfaces

130,128 of thesheets126 are unobstructed by the panel frames160,162,164,166,168 and theretainer member152 so that thedoor100 has a principally transparent or translucent appearance when thesheets126 are made of a transparent or translucent material. In some embodiments, for example, more than seventy percent of the inner and

outer surfaces

130,128 of thesheets126 are unobstructed by the panel frames160,162,164,166,168 and theretainer member152. In other embodiments, more than sixty percent of the inner and

outer surfaces

130,128 of thesheets126 are unobstructed by the panel frames160,162,164,166,168 and theretainer member152. In yet other embodiments, more than fifty percent of the inner and

outer surfaces

130,128 of thesheets126 are unobstructed by the panel frames160,162,164,166,168 and theretainer member152.

Additionally, acoupling mechanism150, as illustrated in the nonlimiting embodiment ofFIG. 4, may further be utilized. Thecoupling mechanism150 may be positioned between thelip170 and theouter surface128 of thesheets126. In some embodiments, thecoupling mechanism150 is a layer of adhesive, a layer of double-sided tape or some other coupling object. In some embodiments, thecoupling mechanism150 is a double-sided tape, such as 4991 VHB tape made by 3M Company of Maplewood, Minn. In other embodiments, thecoupling mechanism150 is an adhesive, such as Adseal 4549 silicone based adhesive made by AdChem Corporation of Riverhead, N.Y. Thecoupling mechanism150 may be any suitable adhesive, double-sided tape or other coupling mechanism in other embodiments.

In operation, the

frame members

134,136,138,140,142,146 are assembled to form the

frames

160,162,164,166,168, which forms thedoor100. The sheets156 are positioned within the

frame

160,162,164,166,168 such that theouter surface128 of thesheet126 is positioned against or adjacent to thelip170. Thelip170 acts as a barrier that retains thesheet126 within the

frame

160,162,164,166,168. The edge129 of thesheet126 is positioned adjacent to theledge132 of the

frame

160,162,164,166,168. In some embodiments, thesheet126 contacts at least a portion of theledge132. In others, the sheets float within the

frame

160,162,164,166,168, not contacting theledge132 and are held in place by thecoupling mechanism150, theretainer member152 or a combination thereof. Theretainer member152 is positioned adjacent to theinner surface130 of thesheet126 to retain thesheet126 within the

frame

160,162,164,166,168. Thesheet126 is essentially sandwiched between thelip172 and theretainer member152.

In some embodiments, thesheet126 includes the groove156 formed along theperiphery133 of theinner surface130 of thesheet126. Theretainer member152 may include therib180 that is configured to mate with the groove156 formed in thesheet126. Therib180 and the groove156 may be any suitable size to allow therib180 to mate with or otherwise engage the groove156. It should be appreciated, that in some embodiments either or both therib180 and the groove156 may not be present. Likewise, in some embodiments therib180 may not engage the groove156 while otherwise engaging theinner surface130 of thesheet126.

The one ormore fasteners184 may be positioned through theapertures182 formed in theretainer member152, such that thefasteners184 engage the

frame

160,162,164,166,168 to couple theretainer member152 to the

frame

160,162,164,166,168. In one illustrative embodiment, thefasteners184 are inserted into theshoulder154 of the

frame

160,162,164,166,168 at an angle. In some embodiments, thefirst protrusion158 and thesecond protrusion159 extend from theshoulder154 of the

frame

160,162,164,166,168 to engage with portions of theretainer member152 to secure theretainer member152 to the

frame

160,162,164,166,168. For example, thefirst protrusion158 may engage with thefirst side174 of theretainer member152 and thesecond protrusion159 may engage with thesecond side176 of theretainer member152, and, specifically theshoulder190 formed in thesecond side176 of theretainer member152.

In some embodiments, thefirst side174 of theretainer member152 is positioned between theledge132 and thefirst protrusion158 that extends from theshoulder154 portion of the

frame

160,162,164,166,168. In yet some embodiments, thesecond protrusion159 extending from theshoulder154 portion of the

frame

160,162,164,166,168 engages theshoulder190 formed on theretainer member152 to secure theretainer member152 to the

frame

160,162,164,166,168. The first and

second protrusions

158,159 that extend from theshoulder154 of the

frame

160,162,164,166,168 may prevent lateral movement of theretainer member152 when the first or

second protrusions

158,159 engage theretainer member152.

Referring now toFIG. 6, another embodiment of aretainer member252 is presented. Theretainer member252 includes afirst side274, asecond side276, and a top side278. A protrusion or rib280 extends from thefirst side274 of theretainer member252 and contacts theinner surface130 of thesheet126. Due to the positioning of the protrusion280, the protrusion280 may also be described as extending from the top side278 of theretainer member252 beyond thefirst side274. In this embodiment, thefirst side274 may have a height greater than thesecond side276 thereby causing the top side278 to be slanted or angled. The top side278 may have an angle of 30 degrees. In other embodiments, the top side278 may have an angle greater than or less than 30 degrees.

In the nonlimiting, exemplary embodiment illustrated inFIG. 6, thesheet126 does not include a groove along theperiphery133 of theinner surface130 of thesheet126. As illustrated, however, aseal294 is optionally attached along theperiphery133 of theinner surface130 of thesheet126. Theseal294 may be positioned along theinner surface130 of thesheet126 such that when thesheet126 and theretainer member252 are coupled to the

frame

160,162,164,166,168 theseal294 is positioned below the protrusion280. In this embodiment, theseal294 is between the protrusion280 and theledge132 of the

frame

160,162,164,166,168. Thesecond side276 at theretainer member252, which faces an interior space of the garage, includes asecond shoulder290 that engages with thesecond protrusion159 that extends from theshoulder154 portion of the

frame

160,162,164,166,168. Thefirst side274 of theretainer member252 may also include afirst shoulder296 that engages with thefirst protrusion158 that extends from theshoulder154 portion of the

frame

160,162,164,166,168. In some aspects, the protrusion280 is hidden by thelip170. In other aspects, the protrusion280 is not hidden by thelip170 or is only partially hidden by thelip170. In the illustrative embodiment, thefirst protrusion158, extending from theshoulder154 at least partially engages thefasteners184.

Referring now toFIG. 7, yet another embodiment of aretainer member352 is presented. Theretainer member352 includes afirst side374, asecond side376, and atop side378. Theretainer member352 includes acavity380 for receiving aseal392. Theseal392 is positioned between theinner surface130 of thesheet126 and thecavity380. In some aspects, only theseal392 contacts thesheet126 such that a gap is formed between theinner surface130 of thesheet126 and thefirst side374 of theretainer member352. Theseal392 may be rounded or any suitable shape. Thecavity380 may also be any suitable shape such as rounded, crescent-shaped, semicircular or other shape operable to engage theseal392.

Thefirst side374 may have a height greater than thesecond side376 of theretainer member352. However, in this embodiment, thetop side378 of theretainer member352 may be substantially parallel to theshoulder154 portion of the

frame

160,162,164,166,168. In other words, thetop surface378 of theretainer member352 may not be angled as may be the case in previous embodiments described herein. Asecond shoulder390 may be formed in thesecond side376 of theretainer member352 such that thesecond protrusion159, extending from theshoulder area154 of the

frame

160,162,164,166,168, may engage thesecond shoulder390.

Thefasteners184 may be positioned throughapertures382 formed within thetop side378 of theretainer member352 to secure theretainer member352 to the

frame

160,162,164,166,168. Thefasteners184 may be inserted into theretainer member352 at an angle of approximately 30 degrees relative to theshoulder152, and as illustrated, thetop surface378 of theretainer member352. In addition to thefasteners184,additional fasteners385 may be inserted throughapertures398 formed in the first and the

second sides

374,376 of theretainer member352 and into thesheet126. Thefasteners385 may be inserted into thesheet126 such that thefasteners385 are substantially perpendicular to the inward facingside130 of thesheet126. Thefasteners385 may provide an additional mechanism for attaching theretainer member352 to thesheets126 to further secure thesheets126 within the

frames

160,162,164,166,168.

In the foregoing description of certain embodiments, specific terminology has been resorted to for the sake of clarity. However, the disclosure is not intended to be limited to the specific terms so selected, and it is to be understood that each specific term includes other technical equivalents which operate in a similar manner to accomplish a similar technical purpose. Terms such as “outer” and “inner,” “upper” and “lower,” “first” and “second,” “internal” and “external,” “above” and “below” and the like are used as words of convenience to provide reference points and are not to be construed as limiting terms.

In addition, the foregoing describes only some embodiments of the invention(s), and alterations, modifications, additions and/or changes can be made thereto without departing from the scope and spirit of the disclosed embodiments, the embodiments being illustrative and not restrictive.

Also, the various embodiments described above may be implemented in conjunction with other embodiments, e.g., aspects of one embodiment may be combined with aspects of another embodiment to realize yet other embodiments. Further, each independent feature or component of any given assembly may constitute an additional embodiment.

Although specific embodiments have been described in detail, those skilled in the art will also recognize that various substitutions and modifications may be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the appended claims.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A panel of a sectional door, the panel comprising:

a panel frame comprising a top frame member, a bottom frame member, a first side frame member and a second side frame member, wherein the frame members form an opening, each of the frame members comprising:

a rear surface and a front surface;

a ledge at least partially extending between and being substantially perpendicular to the rear surface and the front surface;

a shoulder at least partially extending between the rear surface and a rear end of the ledge and being offset from the ledge away from the opening and parallel to the ledge, the shoulder comprising at least one protrusion extending outwardly therefrom; and

a lip extending from a front end of the ledge into the opening; and

a sheet of material disposed within the opening, wherein the ledge of each frame member extends from a front side of the sheet of material to a rear side of the sheet of material.

2. The panel ofclaim 1, wherein the sheet of material is positioned adjacent the lip and the ledge such that an edge of the sheet is positioned adjacent the ledge and a periphery of an outer surface of the sheet is positioned against the lip.

3. The panel ofclaim 2, wherein the edge of the sheet directly contacts at least a portion of the ledge.

4. The panel ofclaim 1, wherein the lip and the ledge are perpendicular to each other.

5. The panel ofclaim 1 further comprising a retainer member, the retainer member being fastened to one or more of the frame members by a fastener extending through a portion of the retainer member and into the shoulder.

6. The panel ofclaim 1, wherein the frame members are aluminum extrusions.

7. A panel for an overhead door comprising:

a frame defining an opening, the frame having a first surface and a second surface parallel to the first surface and a ledge oriented substantially perpendicular to the first and second surfaces, the frame further comprising a lip extending from the ledge into the opening and a shoulder at least partially extending between the ledge and the second surface, the shoulder comprising at least one protrusion extending outwardly therefrom;

a transparent member having a first side and an opposing second side, the transparent member positioned parallel to the first and second surfaces of the frame and adjacent to both the lip and the ledge with the first side of the transparent member disposed adjacent the lip; and

a retainer member disposed adjacent the second side of the transparent member and operable to be fastened to the frame with a fastener extending through a portion of the retainer member to secure the transparent member within the opening of the frame, the retainer member being engaged with the at least one protrusion to prevent lateral movement of the retainer member with respect to the shoulder.

8. The panel ofclaim 7, wherein the second side of the transparent member includes a groove.

9. The panel ofclaim 7, wherein the fastener is inserted into a top side of the retainer member, wherein the top side is oriented at an angle of approximately 30 degrees relative to the ledge.

10. The panel ofclaim 7, further comprising a coupling member operable to fasten the transparent member to the lip.

11. The panel ofclaim 7, wherein the lip and the ledge are perpendicular to each other.

12. The panel ofclaim 7, wherein the retainer member comprises a shoulder disposed upon a first protrusion of the at least one protrusion.

13. The panel ofclaim 7, wherein the second surface of the panel is an inward facing surface configured to face an interior portion of a space enclosed by the overhead door.

14. A panel for an overhead door comprising:

a retainer member disposed adjacent the second side of the transparent member and operable to be fastened to the frame to secure the transparent member within the opening of the frame, the retainer member being engaged with the at least one protrusion to prevent lateral movement of the retainer member with respect to the shoulder, wherein the retainer member has a rib disposed within a groove formed along a periphery of the transparent member.

15. A panel for an overhead door comprising:

a retainer member disposed adjacent the second side of the transparent member and operable to be fastened to the frame to secure the transparent member within the opening of the frame, the retainer member being engaged with the at least one protrusion to prevent lateral movement of the retainer member with respect to the shoulder, wherein the at least one protrusion comprises a first protrusion and a second protrusion, wherein a first side of the retainer member is disposed between the ledge and the first protrusion, and wherein a second side of the retainer member is disposed between the first protrusion and the second protrusion.

16. A panel of a sectional door, the panel comprising:

a rear surface and a front surface;

a ledge at least partially extending between the rear surface and the front surface;

a shoulder at least partially extending between the rear surface and the ledge and being offset from the ledge;

a first protrusion and a second protrusion each extending outwardly from the shoulder; and

a lip extending from the ledge into the opening; and

a retainer member attached to the panel frame to secure a sheet of material within the opening of the panel frame, the retainer member engaged with both the first protrusion and the second protrusion.